Knockdown box.



No.662,739. Patented Nov. 27, I900.

E. RASCHLE.

KNOGKDOWN BOX.

(Application filad Jan. 10, 1900.)

(No Model.)

UNITED STATES ERNEST RASCHLE, OF PARIS, FRANCE.

KNOCKDOWN BOX.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent N 0. 662,739, datedNovember 27, 1900.

Application filed January 10, 1900. Serial No. 978. khlo modem T0 (ZZZwhom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, ERNEST RASCHLF), a citizen of the Swiss Republic,and a resident of Paris, France, have invented a new and usefulImprovement in Knockdown Boxes, of which the following is a full, clear,and exact specification.

The object of the present invention is a system of metal mountings orfasteners for use in the manufacture of chests, trunks, boxes,furniture, and other objects which can be instantaneously entirely orpartly fixed and taken to pieces.

The attached drawings represent, as an example, the difierent parts formaking a packing-case.

Figure 1 is a plan of the improved fastener in the closed or lockedposition. Fig. 3 shows the same in the open or free position. Figs. 2and 4 are sectional elevations. on lines a: y and v 2, respectively, ofFigs. 1 and 3. Figs. 5 and 6 are a sectional elevation and a face Viewof another form of construction in accordance with my invention. Fig. 7is an elevation of another form; and Figs. 8 and 9 are a sectionalelevation on line A B of Fig. 9 and a face view, respectively, of stillanother form of joint or'connection.

Fig. 1 gives a plan view of a fastener when fixed forjoining two sidesof the case together, or one side and the lid. 1 is a rectangular slotwith rounded edges in a piece of sheet metal 6, forming the fastener,the slot 1 corresponding with a rectangular mortise made in the Wood.Two lugs or end members 4 and 5, converging from their free ends totheir inner ends, which are spaced, projecting from the piece of sheetmetal 6, are permanently nailed or otherwise fastened to the other sideof top 9. A central member 3 ext-ends from the inner end of one lug orend member 4 to the inner end of the other end member 5 and is locatedin a plane at a right angle to that of the end members. The piece ofsheet metal 6 is bent down and fixed to the underneath part of the saidother side ortop 9, as shown in Fig. 2. The fastener body thus comprisestwo end members, converging toward their inner ends and adapted forconnection with the top 9, and a central member 3 6, constructed forconnection with the box side 10.

The method of joining the cover to the sides, or one side to another, isas followsi In order to join the two parts 9 and 10, Fig. 2, they areplaced at a right angle to each other, and the flat rectangular head 2of a screw 11 is put in open position-that is to say, in a line parallelto the direction of length of the side 10, Figs. 3 and 4, this screwhaving been first placed in the edge of the said] side with its headpenetrating into the slot 1. The head of the screw is then turned forninety degreesthat is to say, it is given a quarter of a turn until itabuts against two stops '7 and 8, arranged at the side of the slot 1.The fastening together of the two sides or top and side of the case isthus more secure than by ordinary nails. A suitable number of thesefasteners, corresponding to an equal number of screws, may be placedalong the edges of the sides of the chest. The head 2 of screw 11 isturned by means of a key with a corresponding slot. In turning the screw11 ninety degrees in the reverse direction its head is again broughtparallel with the edge of the panel, Figs. 3 and 4, so that the metalplate no longer holds the head of the screw, which may freely passthrough the slot 1. Nhen all the heads have been placed in thisposition, the panel or slide can be freely removed.

For the junction of the bottom with the sides these could be joinedtogether by the same fastening and screw arrangement as beforedescribed; but this would not be easily practicable, as the chest wouldhave to be lifted in order to turn the screw-heads. Gonsequently amodified arrangement, as shown in Fig. 5 (sectional side view) and Fig.6, (front view,) is used. The method is as follows: In the edge of theside of the chest 15 is fixed a pivotal screw 13, which should not turn,and the head of which, 12, has a convex channel-like form. Fig. 6 givesa side view of this screw-head 12. The fastening com prises converginglugs or end members 14 and a central member "14, conhecting the spacedinner ends of said end members and located at'an angle thereto. Thisfastening is fixed to the bottom of the case 16 and has a slotcorresponding to a slot in the Wood through which the screw-head 12 maypass. The said fastening 14 is rounded for a suitable distance, and therear part of the screwhead 12 fits exactly into this rounded part of thefastening, thus preventing the screw being turned by unauthorizedpersons. The fastening 14 14 is fixed to the bottom of the case 16 byriveted nails or other suitable means.

For fitting up the case the four sides are attached to the bottom bygiving them a certain inclination which allows of introducing thescrew-heads 12 into the corresponding slots of the fastenings ormountings 14 14. Then each sideis brought into a vertical position, andin this movement the heads of the screws are brought under the edges ofthe corresponding slots in the fasteners. In placing the sides thus inposition care must be taken that the screw-heads 2 of the screws 11enter into the corresponding slots 1 of the fastenings of the precedingsystem. The screws are then turned ninety degrees, and the junction iscomplete. The four side panels being thus fitted up and joined with thebottom, the cover is put on in the manner indicated in Figs. 1 and 2.Instead of the screws 11 and 13, which maybe long screws, as used forwood, a simple turn-button riveted on a plate-mounting l8 and 19 may beused, Fig. 7. Here the fastener comprises the converging end members 1819 and the central member 18, connecting their inner ends and located ina plane at a right angle to that of the said members. The head 17 ofthis turn-button is attached to a short rod ending in a riveted stud 20.The head may be prevented from turning, and it may also be used as aswivel-head. The lugs or projections 18 and 19 of this fastener forattaching it to the chest may be oblique, thus allowing of fixing itonto wooden panels in which screws cannot be introduced, because thepanels are too thin or for some other reason.

Figs. 8 and 9 represent another form of fastening for joining the bottomto the sides of the case,so as to allow of swinging the sides down. Theconstruction is as follows: On the border of the panel 21, forming thebottom of the case, a wooden rail 22 is fixed. In this rail is made aslot a b, Fig. 9, into which is placed a metal plate bent into the formof cheeks and provided with two oblique lugs or projections 24 and 25,which are fastened solidly onto the lower part of the side panel 23 bymeans of the nails 26 and 27 or otherwise. These nails are riveted tothe opposite side,as shown in Fig. 8, which represents a section ofFig.9 from A to B. A sort of hingejoint is thus obtained, and the sidepanel 23 may be turned down to the bottom of the box about the edge a d.In this construction also the fastener comprises converging end members24 25 and a central member 24:, located in a difierent plane from thoseof the end members. A series of slots, similar to a 5, arranged in theedge of the box at intervals receive similar cheeks or fasteners.

In order to fit up the box the four side panels are brought to avertical position as in connecting them by the system of turningscrewshereinbefore mentioned, Figs. 1, 2, 3, and 4:. Then the cover is put onand fixed by the same system.

These two systems may be combined in flexible and dislnountable boxes byusing, for instance, three flexible sides and one dismountable side. Thecover can be fastened on one side by the pivotal fastenings and screwsdescribed for fastening the bottom and on the three other sides byturning-screws. The form of screws, turn-buttons, and fastenings may bemodified as occasion may require.

I claim- 1. A fastener for boxes and the like, comprising two endmembers or legs converging from their free ends inwardly and bothadapted for attachment to the same part of the box, the inner ends ofsaid end members being spaced,and a central member extending from theinner end of one end member to the inner end of the other-andconstructed for attachment to another part of the box, the centralmember and the end members being located in different planes.

2. A fastener for boxes and the like, comprising a central member havinga' slot and stops adjacent thereto, and spaced end memberspermanentlyconnected with the central member at opposite sides thereofand located in a different plane from the central memher, in combinationwith a locking-head constructed to pass through said slot and to turninto engagement with said stops.

In witness whereof I have hereunto signed my name in presence oftwosubscribing witmesses.

ERNEST RAscHLE.

Witnesses:

EDWARD P. MAOLEAN, ARTHUR Goon.

